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Mumbai
PR

Pradip

2d

I have grand i10 for last ten years. My daily driving is 120 km and mostly on smooth highway. Now I want to buy a new car for daily commute. My budget is 12 lakhs. I want a car which gives good mileage. Good safety and good driving dynamics.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
26m

In your case, a diesel engine is a no-brainer given your high daily running. The Tata Altroz diesel would be an ideal upgrade. It is newly refreshed, gets a trusty diesel engine, 5-star safety, and planted, confidence-inspiring handling.

Your commute is mostly smooth highway, so the Altroz feels steady at 100-120 km/h and the steering weights up predictably, which reduces fatigue over 120 km days. The diesel is frugal, so fewer fuel stops and its torque make mid‑range overtakes easy. 

A thing to note is that the diesel engine is audible at idle and there’s mild turbo‑lag below about 1,800 rpm, so quick bursts may need a downshift.

Your budget allows the Accomplished S variant, which is the top of the line that is feature-packed with a 360-degree camera, wireless connectivity, sunroof, cruise control and ambient lighting, among others. 

Tata Altroz

Tata Altroz

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Anunay Sinha

2d

Hi, I am planning to buy a mid-size SUV with a budget of around ₹15-16 lakh on-road. I have shortlisted the following options: Tata Sierra Honda Elevate Renault Duster I am considering the second base variant, and my driving will be around 60–70% in the city and the rest on highways. Please suggest a tension-free (reliable and low-maintenance) engine option, as I am currently using a Tata Altroz NA engine.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2d

Since you are looking for a proven tension-free engine, pick the Honda Elevate, its 1.5‑litre naturally aspirated engine is a very reliable unit and coming from your Tata Altroz NA. You’ll appreciate the Elevate’s smooth, linear power delivery from a simple 4‑cylinder petrol, no turbo lag, fewer parts to worry about, and a decade of reliability in India. The steering is very light at low speeds, and this is also something you would like, given that you drive mostly in the city. What's nice, though, is that it weighs up nicely as speeds rise. The ride is a bit firm but not to the point of being uncomfortable. The 1.3 litre turbo direct injection engine on the Duster is also another good and reliable powerplant, and should you not like the Elevate, you could also look at this. You will have lower rear space, and the gearbox is a DSG unit, which in start-stop city traffic is not as smooth as the CVT on the Honda.

VehicleHonda Elevate
VehicleTata Altroz
RU

Rudra

4d

I am a first-time buyer and was confused about which car to choose (budget under ₹10 lakh). I don’t want to go for the top variant; a variant with decent features would be sufficient. I visited Tata dealerships and checked out the Altroz and Punch. In the Altroz, there was very little headroom left (just about 3-4 fingers), so I moved to the Punch, which gave me more confidence. I am planning to purchase in the next 2-3 months. Are there any suggestions other than the Punch?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
3d

The Tata Punch is a good option, and as you have stated, it does indeed offer more headroom than the Tata Altroz. Since it appears that this is of priority to you, another option would be the Hyundai Exter. The tall stance liberates a lot of interior headroom, and like the Tata Punch, the Exter too has a compact overall footprint. The Exter would also fit well within your Rs 10 lakh budget, especially a mid-level variant, which you have said that you are open to and would prefer instead of a top model.

VehicleTata Punch
VehicleTata Altroz
VehicleHyundai Exter

Posted on: 29 Mar 2026